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Film Review

Warrior Women Kings and The Blackest of Adams

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Introduction: Hey everyone, it’s Ben, also known as The Violence Conductor. Tonight, I’m gonna dive into “The Woman King” and “Black Adam,” two films I’ve been itching to talk about. I’m trying to keep this spoiler-free, so bear with me. I’m here on Instagram and over on my other socials, looking to get interactive with you all – share your thoughts, tell me what you think!

The Woman King:

Plot: Listen, “The Woman King” has been getting some flak, but let’s set the record straight. The plot revolves around this kingdom with the Agojie, these elite warrior women led by Viola Davis. It’s not about historical accuracy; it’s about telling a compelling story. The narrative is about whether it’s right to engage in the slave trade – it’s deep, it’s well-acted, and it’s got a heart.

Acting: Viola Davis? She’s phenomenal, as always. The cast is stellar – John Boyega, Lashana Lynch, they all bring it. This film doesn’t make men look bad to make women look good; it shows strength in both genders, with real threats and complex characters.

Action: The fight scenes are well-crafted, not overly complex but executed with passion and skill. These women are fighting for freedom, respect, and identity. I give it four out of five blades for plot and action. The camera work beautifully captures the essence of Africa, showcasing its culture and beauty.

Criticism: There’s been some noise about not supporting this film because of its portrayal of slavery or its cast, but here’s the thing: if you want more diverse stories, you gotta support them. I’ve heard Viola Davis is also a producer on this, so it’s not just about watching; it’s about supporting black creatives.

Rating: I’m giving “The Woman King” a 9 out of 10. It’s a must-watch, not just for the action but for the storytelling. It’s probably the best movie of the year for me.

Black Adam:

Plot: Moving on to “Black Adam,” Dwayne Johnson’s getting some flak for comments he made, but let’s focus on the movie. It’s about an ancient protector who wakes up in modern times to find his homeland oppressed. The plot’s straightforward, but there’s too much narration at the start. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s fun.

Acting: The Rock is not just playing The Rock here; he’s got a dark edge to him. But the female lead? She’s a bit off for me, her character’s motivation seems forced. And the plot has some iffy moments, like sacrificing the world for personal gain – it’s a trope I’m not fond of.

Action: Now, the action, that’s where Black Adam shines. It’s brutal, it’s unapologetic. They’ve got some great choreography; it’s like watching Superman without the restraint. I’d give the fight scenes four out of five blades, but the overall plot? Maybe a three.

Criticism: The film feels like it’s trying too hard to set up future movies, and the power scaling is all over the place. But if you’re looking for action, it delivers.

Rating: Overall, I’m giving “Black Adam” a three out of five blades. It’s not a must-see in theaters, but it’s worth a watch when you’ve got some spare change.

Conclusion: Both movies have their merits. “The Woman King” is a storytelling triumph with strong action, while “Black Adam” offers straightforward superhero thrills. Support these films if you care about diversity in cinema, but do so because they’re good, not just for the politics. And keep supporting indie films – they need your love more than these big-budget ones.

If you’ve got movies you want me to review, old or new, or even your own projects, hit me up. I’m here for the action and the community.

This has been your host, The Violence Conductor, signing off. Catch you next time.

Dungeons and Dragons VS John Wick 4? Which is the top film right now?!?

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Film Overview:Hey everyone, it’s Ben, The Violence Conductor, here to talk about “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.” This movie had me prepping to hate-watch it because of all the buzz, but let’s dive into what really matters here.

Plot and Characters:The plot? It was fine, okay? A redemption story with a fun setup, introducing characters right off the bat. It’s got that classic “I gotta save my daughter” trope, but with a twist – the thief with a heart of gold. The narrative is very much a nod to fans of the franchise, with Easter eggs galore for those who know the lore. But, let me tell you, the villain? Forgettable. I forgot about this Voldemort-like character by the time I got home.

Acting:Acting was surprisingly good. Chris Pine, he’s got charm for days, and the dialogue was funny, hitting all the right nerd notes. But let’s talk about Michelle Rodriguez – she’s like a pallet swap in video games, always playing the same tough gal. I wish they’d give her more to chew on than just being “Letty from Fast and Furious.”

Action:The fight scenes are where this movie shines, or at least tries to. The Paladin’s fight was tight, intense, but man, some of it was too fast, too dark to really appreciate. I like seeing the moves, not just guessing them. There’s some good strategy in the fights, though, which I appreciated. But they borrowed a lot from Marvel movies, like straight-up Hulk ripoff scenes.

Camera Work:Camera work was decent, nothing spectacular. Some shots felt like they were trying too hard to be clever, with 360 spins and whatnot. I prefer when the camera serves the story, not the other way around. Transitions were sometimes abrupt, pulling you out of the moment.

Criticism:Now, about the press and how they marketed this movie – it’s killing it. Talking about emasculating men? That’s not political; that’s just bad marketing. It’s not about the message; it’s about how you deliver it. And the diversity? It’s there, but some of the creature designs looked like they belonged in a Chuck E. Cheese.

Rating:I’m giving this movie three out of five blades. It’s fun, sure, but don’t expect to drop big bucks on it. A matinee or a rental? Yeah, that’s worth it.

Conclusion:“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” is entertaining if you’re into the lore and don’t mind some predictable storytelling. It’s not better than “John Wick” in terms of action purity, but it’s got its charm. If you’ve got some indie films you want me to take a look at, hit me up. That’s what we do here at the Austin Action Fest.

Review of “The Matrix Resurrections” – A Violence Conductor Perspective

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Alright, welcome to another Violence Conductor Review. I’m Benjamin Nathaniel Redic II, aka The Violence Conductor, and joining me is Lady Ericka Redic, also known as Generally Irritable. Today, we’re diving deep into “The Matrix Resurrections,” and before we get into the nitty-gritty, we want to give a shout-out to Ming House Wing Chun for hooking us up with these awesome shirts.

So, “The Matrix Resurrections.” I came into this expecting top-tier kung fu action, a continuation of what made the original trilogy iconic. But, here’s my take:

Plot and Storytelling:

  • Coming from an action perspective, I was a fan of the original Matrix, but not for its philosophical depth; I was there for the fights. This movie starts off very meta, almost too self-aware, with a lot of awkward dialogue. It felt like a fan service gone wrong, constantly reminding us of the past without the same impact or innovation. 
  • The premise of resurrection was intriguing but executed in a way that felt confusing. Neo and Trinity are back, but the narrative around their return and the new characters replacing classics like Morpheus and Agent Smith felt off. It was like watching “The Force Awakens” where every cool moment was a callback, making the new stuff seem less impressive by comparison.

Characters and Acting:

  • The new actors did okay, but the shadow of Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving looms large. The replacements didn’t capture the same charisma or menace. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss did what they could, but the script didn’t give them much to work with in terms of development.

Action and Choreography:

  • This is where I was most disappointed. The action scenes, which should have been the highlight, were uninspired. The choreography lacked the crispness and innovation of the originals. Too much shaky cam, too many slow-motion shots of overused moves like wall-running, and not enough of the clean, martial arts-centric combat that defined the franchise. 
  • Also, everyone seemed bulletproof in this movie, which took away from the tension and immersion. The wire work was floaty, lacking the grounded feel of the previous films. It was like watching a less thrilling, less connected version of what we’ve seen before.

Visuals and Technical Aspects:

  • From a camera work standpoint, there were some cool shots, but nothing groundbreaking. The visual effects were passable but didn’t push boundaries the way the first films did.

Cultural Commentary and Reception:

  • The movie seemed to be trying to make some points about control and freedom, but it was heavy-handed and didn’t resonate with me. It felt like the creators were more focused on making a statement than telling a compelling story.

Rating:

  • I’m giving “The Matrix Resurrections” a solid 3 out of 5 blades. It’s watchable, especially if you’ve got HBO Max, but not something I’d rush to see in theaters. Ericka rates it a bit lower at 2 out of 5 blades, feeling it didn’t capture the essence or excitement of the original trilogy.

Conclusion:

  • In the end, “The Matrix Resurrections” was a missed opportunity. It could have revitalized the series with new energy, but instead, it felt like a rehashing of old themes without the flair. I’m willing to be convinced otherwise, but for now, this one didn’t do it for me.

If you’ve seen it, jump into the comments and let us know what you thought. Did you feel the callbacks were a tribute or a crutch? And for those looking forward to other movies, we’ve got our eyes on “The King’s Man” and “Spider-Man,” which, from what I hear, outshone “The Matrix” in the action department this holiday season.

That’s all from us, The Violence Conductor and Generally Irritable. Like, share, and comment below. Let’s keep the conversation going on what we want to see next in the world of action cinema. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and see you in the next review!

“Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)” – A Violence Conductor Perspective

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Hey, it’s Benjamin Nathaniel Redic II, the Violence Conductor, here to give you my take on the new “Birds of Prey” movie. I’ve been hearing a lot about why it didn’t do well at the box office, so let’s dive in.

Plot and Theme:

  • This movie is loaded with girl power, and that’s cool, but the way it was marketed was a turn-off to some, particularly to dudes. The film’s narrative pretty much paints every male character as garbage, while all the female characters, even those who are morally ambiguous like Harley Quinn, are portrayed as heroes or at least in a very positive light. 
  • The plot focuses more on Harley Quinn rather than the team dynamic of the Birds of Prey, which was a bit misleading if you were expecting a team-up movie from the get-go.

Marketing and Audience Reception:

  • The marketing, coupled with some interviews, like Ewan McGregor’s, where he was using his Obi-Wan voice to promote the film, didn’t do it any favors. It almost made me decide not to watch it. 
  • Here’s the thing: if you’re going to make a film that’s all about empowering women, then women need to show up to support it. Just like how “Black Panther” saw black audiences come out in droves to support. If the female demographic doesn’t show up for female-led movies, you can’t blame the other half of the population for a lackluster box office.
  • Hollywood, it’s not the customer’s job to watch your movie; it’s your job to make a film that people want to see. If it fails, look at your marketing, your product, not the audience.

Action and Choreography:

  • As for the action, it was entertaining but not groundbreaking. It had its moments, especially with Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary. She had some cool Taekwondo moves, which I appreciated as someone who’s been training in martial arts. 
  • Huntress wasn’t as dark or serious as I expected from the comics, which was a bit of a letdown. The action was over-the-top, fitting for a Harley Quinn movie where physics takes a back seat to fun.

Camera Work and Technical Aspects:

  • There wasn’t anything about the camera work that blew me away. It was serviceable but didn’t stand out.

Rating:

  • On a scale of 1-5, I’d give “Birds of Prey” a 3, It’s not worth full price admission, but for a matinee or a rental, it’s fun enough. I wouldn’t be buying the DVD, though.

Final Thoughts:

  • The movie was cool in its own way, but it didn’t meet expectations for a team-up. It’s more of a Harley Quinn solo adventure with guest appearances. 
  • I’ve been slacking on reviews due to travel, but I’ll be back with more content soon, including gaming videos and movie reviews. And for the record, I’ve been doing the Black Panther thing before it was cool, so maybe someone in Hollywood’s keeping an eye on me.

Benjamin Nathaniel Redic II, the Violence Conductor, out. Catch you later.

Harriet Tubman – Worth the Watch?

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Hey everyone, it’s Benjamin Nathaniel Redic II, the Violence Conductor, back with another movie review. I got to see “Harriet” at an early screening, courtesy of Impact Outreach, and I want to give a massive thanks for that opportunity. 

Plot:

  • “Harriet” might just be the best movie of the year in my opinion. While not primarily an action film, it’s based on the true story of Harriet Tubman, which means there’s plenty of tension, chase sequences, and some moments of combat. The plot is compelling, following Tubman’s escape from slavery and her subsequent missions to free others.

Acting:

  • The acting is top-notch, with performances that genuinely moved me. There were several moments where I found myself getting teary-eyed. The portrayal of Harriet Tubman is not just about her courage but also her wit and humanity. She’s shown standing up to those who doubt her, which adds a layer of humor and strength to her character.

Characters and Dynamics:

  • One of the standout aspects is how the film balances the portrayal of characters. Not all white people are antagonists, and not all slaves are eager to escape, showcasing a spectrum of human responses to oppression. There’s even a black character who works with slave catchers, adding complexity to the narrative. 
  • The relationship dynamics, particularly with John, are handled with nuance, showing the consequences and personal sacrifices involved in the fight for freedom.

Action:

  • While not action-heavy, the sequences that involve action are well-executed. Harriet’s escapes, her confrontations, and even her strategic thinking during tense situations are depicted in a way that feels authentic and intense. There’s a scene where she jumps onto a horse and uses a musket with remarkable composure, which I really appreciated.

Camera Work:

  • The cinematography is beautiful, with precise and clean visuals. The color palette is particularly well-chosen, enhancing the storytelling without being overstated. I’d give this aspect a 5 out of 5.

Cultural Commentary:

  • Watching “Harriet” made me reflect on the importance of historical figures as role models. Harriet Tubman’s story is one of bravery, intelligence, and faith, qualities that transcend time and circumstance. Her story reminds us of the sacrifices made for freedom and equality, much like the tales of historical figures from various cultures.

Rating:

  • On my new 10-point scale, I’m giving “Harriet” a 9 out of 10. It’s an exceptional film that deserves support, not only for its portrayal of a significant historical figure but for its storytelling quality. This movie is worth every penny of that $14 ticket price. It’s good for adults and educational for kids, offering a visual and emotional journey into history.

Final Thoughts:

  • “Harriet” is a film that should be celebrated for its narrative strength and cultural significance. It’s a reminder of the power of one person’s determination and the impact of their legacy. Go see it, support films like this, and let’s hope for more stories that delve deep into the lives of those who shaped our history.

Catch you next time for more reviews. Benjamin Ethaniel Reichenberg II, the Violence Conductor, signing off. Happy Halloween, y’all!

Music

Review of “The Rise of Skywalker” – A First-Person Perspective

Hey there, it’s the Vodka Doctor, also known as Benjamin Ethaniel Reichenberg II, the Violence Conductor, stepping outside of my usual set to share some thoughts on a movie that’s been polarizing for fans: “The Rise of Skywalker”. Be warned, there will be spoilers here, so if you haven’t seen it yet, that’s on you.

Plot and Power Scaling:

  • From my perspective, which was shaped by entering the Star Wars universe around the time of “The Phantom Menace”, the Force was about elegant combat with lightsabers, magical push-and-pull abilities, and some impressive acrobatics. However, “The Rise of Skywalker” seemed to lose sight of this simplicity. 
  • Rey, despite being shown as incredibly powerful from the start – levitating like Yoda, manipulating objects with precision – her use of the Force in combat scenarios felt inconsistent and illogical. Why swing a lightsaber like a baseball bat against someone much stronger and better trained like Kylo Ren? Where was the finesse and strategy?

Action and Choreography:

  • The action in this movie was a letdown for me. The fight scenes lacked the intensity and tactical engagement that I expect from Star Wars. For example, the confrontation between Rey and Kylo should have been a masterclass in lightsaber combat, but instead, it felt like a power clash without much skill or thought behind the moves.
  • There were some ridiculous moments, like Leia surviving in space or characters using the Force for teleportation, which felt like a departure from established lore. The Force has always had its mystique, but these new applications seemed more like plot conveniences than thoughtful expansions of the Force’s capabilities.

Character and Story Arc:

  • The title “The Rise of Skywalker” felt misnamed to me. If anything, it should have been about Ben Solo’s redemption, not Rey declaring herself a Skywalker. The narrative around Rey’s lineage and her sudden mastery of all Force abilities just didn’t sit right with me. It’s like they forgot she was supposed to be learning, not just magically adept at everything.
  • The climax with Palpatine was confusing. What exactly happened in that fight? Was Rey absorbing and redirecting Force energy? It was hard to tell, and it left me unsatisfied with the resolution of such a pivotal moment.

Ratings:

  • On a 10-point scale, I’d give “The Rise of Skywalker” a 4 out of 10 for action. For an action movie within such an iconic franchise, this is unacceptable. If you strip away the Star Wars name, the combat and action choreography would be considered subpar.
  • Overall, as a Star Wars movie, I’ll give it a 7 out of 10. It was better than some of the other films involving Rey, but that’s not saying much.

Final Thoughts:

  • I love the Star Wars universe for its potential, its lore, and its universe. But when movies introduce powers or plot devices that contradict established rules or ignore character development for the sake of spectacle, it’s disappointing. 
  • The action sequences in other media like cartoons, books, or even older games often feel more true to the spirit of Star Wars than some of these recent films. It’s like trying to make Dragon Ball GT make sense when Dragon Ball was all about skill and not just escalating power levels.
  • Disney, if you’re listening, please remember what made the Force and lightsaber combat special. It’s not just about who has the highest power level; it’s about technique, strategy, and the journey of mastering these abilities.

I have spoken. The Violence Conductor, out.